Shocking, but true. It's already time to start packing up the kids - or yourself - to head back to school.

Of course, the list of recommended school supplies these days is much more advanced - and far more interesting - than it was when you went to school. Whether you're shopping for a student or are looking to update your own tech lineup, our back-to-school guide will show you something worth your time and money.

Best tablet/e-book reader: iPad

Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5

The good: Apple's new iPad includes a stunning new screen, matched by a quad-core graphic processor and the world's largest app and media store to feed it content. There's a proper 5-megapixel rear camera now, with 1080p recording quality. Optional 4G data plans from AT&T and Verizon afford an uncompromising mobile experience.

The bad: The new iPad is slightly heavier than last year's model; apps and movies optimized for the screen might take up more space; and ports for HDMI, USB and SD require adapters.

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The cost: $500 to $595

The bottom line: With a host of improvements - aster graphics, 4G wireless options, a better camera and a gorgeous high-res screen - the latest iPad secures its position at the head of the tablet pack.

Top school-ready notebook: Dell Inspiron 14z

Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5

The good: With a new slim design, the Inspiron 14z impresses by including an Intel Core i5 CPU and discrete AMD graphics, all for a reasonable price.

The bad: There's still a bit of a budget feel to parts of the body. Battery life, while decent, isn't going to get you through a full day.

The cost: $900

The bottom line: Dell has managed to give a very upscale feel to its mainstream Inspiron 14z, a 14-inch ultrabook that comfortably juggles price, design and performance.

Top camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i

The bad: If you shoot both still and video, the T3i's controls can be frustrating to operate, and it's not terribly fast for burst-shooting sports, kids or pets.

The cost: $579 to $848

The bottom line: For the money, the Canon EOS Rebel T3i is a great choice for DSLR videographers - though the cheaper T2i can suffice if you don't need the articulated LCD - and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you're upgrading to capture sports, kids or pets, the T3i may not be able to keep up.

Top tech toy under $100: Roku HD (2012)

Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5

The good: The Roku HD is an extremely small, reasonably priced Wi-Fi streaming-media box. It offers dozens of streaming-video and audio services, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, HBO Go, Pandora, Mog, Rdio and MLB.TV. PC- and Mac-based media can be streamed via the Plex app. The Roku HD can be connected to HDTVs or older analog TVs.

The bad: The Roku HD lacks Vudu and YouTube channels, which are found on most competing products. There's no Ethernet port, so you'll need a solid Wi-Fi signal in your home theater.

The cost: $60 to $75

The bottom line: Capable of streaming hundreds of audio and video channels, the Roku HD would be our top pick for those seeking an ultra-affordable Internet media box - though it's nearly identical to the slightly cheaper Roku LT.

Best home theater for the dorm: Sony PS3 Slim

Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5

The good: The PlayStation 3 Slim has a slimmer, more compact design with quieter operation; all games are high-definition; its interface is easy to use; it doubles as a Blu-ray player and an upscaling DVD player; and it has built-in Wi-Fi, a spacious hard drive, an HDMI output with 1080p support, and a built-in Web browser. There's also a free online gaming service, and the Slim doesn't require an external power supply.

The bad: The Slim doesn't support PS2 games, and the lack of an infrared port means non-Bluetooth universal remotes aren't compatible.

The cost: $250 to $400

The bottom line: With a smaller design, more energy-efficient operation, lower price, and built-in Blu-ray and multimedia capabilities, the PS3 Slim delivers a compelling package for an affordable price.

The good: The NX430 stuffs a printer, scanner and copy machine into a device that fits in small places, and Epson's iPrint software extends your printing reach to compatible Android and iOS devices.

The bad: The printer lacks an Ethernet port for wired networking, and its "moderate-capacity" cartridge bay is a money sink if you print a lot of photos and color documents.

The cost: $80

The bottom line: The Epson NX430 Small-in-One printer is a solid investment for students and office jockeys who print high-quality photos and documents but don't have the space for a large-format device.

Best tech accessory: Belkin Bluetooth Music Receiver

Cnet rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The good: The affordable Belkin Bluetooth Music Receiver adds Bluetooth streaming capabilities to anything with an audio (auxiliary) input or a pair of powered speakers. It comes with both RCA-to-3.5mm and 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cables.

The bad: It's "wireless," but needs to be plugged into the audio component (and a wall outlet).

The cost: $25 to $70

The bottom line: The Belkin Bluetooth Music Receiver is a cheap and easy way to add wireless audio streaming to any powered speaker system or audio component with a spare input.